Holy Cross Set to Battle Perennial Powerhouse Siena

GAME DAY QUICK FACTS:

Teams: Holy Cross (1-2-0) vs. Siena (7-0-1)

Date: November 1, 2009

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Place: Hart Center, Worcester, Mass.

Last Meeting: Siena 17, Holy Cross 2 (2/15/09; Worcester, Mass)

THE SERIES WITH SIENA: Last season the Crusaders dropped both contests to the Saints, 15-0 and 17-2 both in February.

SCOUTING THE SAINTS: Siena is currently undefeated.  They have posted league victories against Marist, CCSU, and NYU, while tying Montclair St

LAST TIME OUT: The Crusaders began league play a week ago on family weekend with hard fought contests against UNH and Montclair St.  On Friday night the Crusaders fell 2-1, with their lone goal coming from Sophomore Chuck Mackenzie, as assisted by Junior Piero Iberti.  Freshman Jim Pantano made 32 saves in the loss.  Saturday night the Saders fell to Montclair St 8-1.  Senior Captain Mike Falvey had the lone goal, jumping out of a long slump.  Freshman Brian Talbot and Junior Matt Tyksinski were credited with assists.  Sophomore Kyle Rodriguez made 28 saves in the loss.

FIRST COLLEGIATE POINTS: Freshmen Doug Dromey, Matt Zielinski, and Brian Talbot have all recorded their first collegiate points, all against Endicott in the first game of the season.

HOLY CROSS RETURNS 102 OF 139 POINTS: The 2009-2010 Holy Cross men's hockey team returns all but seven players who saw ice time a season ago.  This cast includes 3 of their top 5 scorers: top goal and point getter Steve Cardinal and top assist-man Matt Tyksinski.  Also returning is their lead grinder, Piero Iberti who led the team with 75 penalty minutes. 

FRESH FACES: Holy Cross will look towards a lot of new talent.  The 13 returners are joined by 19 newcomers – a large change for a team that struggled to piece together even 2 lines last season by the end.

OH CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN: Senior forward Mike Falvey will serve as the 2009-2010 team captains, returning for his second straight year donning the C.  Despite an injury plagued season, he hopes to continue to provide leadership on and off the ice.

CRUSADER COACHES: The Crusaders now are under the guidance of Head Coach Dave Sistrand and Assistant Coach Jim Richardson.  With extensive backgrounds in coaching a variety of age levels of hockey, they look to bring their knowledge and experience to the table in leading the Crusaders.